
Lot 257 - 1954 12947 XK120 Drophead Coupé
Lot Number | 257 |
Registration | NWT277 |
Chassis Number | 667172 |
Engine Number | F1474/8 |
Odometer reading | 36,500 miles |
Estimate | £63,000 - £73,000 |
Result | Sold - £67,200 |
When Jaguar resumed car production in 1945, it dropped its pre-war sports car line to concentrate on saloon manufacture. But at the 1948 Motor Show the firm astonished the public by announcing a new two-seater roadster; the XK120, with the name reflecting its top speed. It heralded the arrival of Jaguar's famous 3.4-litre twin overhead camshaft XK engine, intended for the Mk. VII saloon, then two years away. Its chassis was essentially a shortened version of the simultaneously announced Mk. V saloon, with torsion bar independent suspension and its comfort and road holding set new standards for British sports cars.
In May 1949, on the Jabbeke to Aeltre auto route, a model with
its hood and sidescreen in place recorded a speed of 126mph and no
less than 132mph with the hood and windscreen detached and an
under-tray fitted. The car was in almost instant demand and it
caught Jaguar by surprise. The first 240 examples retained
coach-built aluminium bodies before pressed steel took over. The
open two-seater model was joined by a fixedhead coupé version in
1951 and a drophead coupé followed in 1953. The 120 lasted until
1954 before making way for its XK140 successor. It was to prove the
most popular of the series, with 12,061 examples built, and of
these only 295 were righthand drive drophead coupés like the car
offered here.
This original righthand drive Jaguar XK120 drophead coupé was
supplied by Appleyard of Leeds in January 1954 finished in Dove
Grey. It was imported back to the UK in 1983 after being repainted
in white and since that time it has had three owners. In 2005 this
XK120 was subject to a ground up restoration repainting the car in
Old English White with red leather interior and black mohair roof.
This superb example is supplied with a V5C registration document, a
Heritage certificate, a file containing invoices from 1993, old
registration documents, old MoT test certificates; the last having
expired in June last year, and a photograph album containing
pictures of the restoration in 2005. A very rare opportunity to
acquire a nicely restored and rare righthand drive Jaguar XK120
Drophead Coupé which represents an ideal investment opportunity for
the prudent collector.
Interested parties should satisfy themselves as to the description and condition of each lot prior to the sale. Accordingly, buyers are on notice that each vehicle is offered ‘as is/as seen’ subject to the Terms and Conditions for the auction. Buyers are advised to inspect the vehicle in person or use a professional to carry out this service. Historics will not entertain disputes over descriptions.